History

  • 3

    January 1959

    Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko announce their plans for marriage in April 1959.

  • 3

    February 1959

    Mr. Ralph Honda, a Japanese-American community leader and businessman in Hawaii, proposes the establishment of a scholarship to benefit scholars from both Japan and America as a wedding gift to the royal couple.

  • 3

    March 1959

    The Imperial Household approves the establishment of the scholarship fund.

  • 3

    September 1960

    Hawaii donors present $3,000 to the University of Hawaii to establish the Crown Prince Akihito Endowment. Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko meet with University of Hawaii President L.H. Snyder in Hawaii. After their return to Tokyo, Crown Prince Akihito contributes $1,000 to the fund.

  • 3

    1973 – 1974

    The first scholarship recipient, Ms. Lillian Miyasaki Nakagawa, is selected.

  • 3

    January 1987

    The Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation is chartered as a tax-exempt entity.

  • 3

    January 1989

    His Majesty, Crown Prince Akihito, becomes Emperor and expresses his wish that the scholarship’s name remain unchanged despite his accession to the throne.

  • 3

    1992

    Mr. Ralph Honda, director and administrator of the scholarship program, retires. The Japan-America Society of Hawaii begins as administrator of the scholarship.

  • 3

    2009

    The Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation celebrates its 50th anniversary.